Robots Race Faster Than Usain Bolt: A Mechanical Engineering Perspective (NJK)

 

Robots Race Faster Than Usain Bolt: A Mechanical Engineering Perspective

Introduction

Humanoid robots have recently attracted worldwide attention by competing in running races and recording times faster than Usain Bolt’s human 100-metre world record. At the 2026 World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, the Chinese humanoid robot Tiangong Ultra reportedly completed 100 metres in 9.39 seconds, while another robot, Lightning, recorded 9.47 seconds in the race. Both times were faster than Usain Bolt’s human world record of 9.58 seconds, set in Berlin in 2009. cite

In a preparatory test, Lightning was also reported to have completed the distance in 9.32 seconds, reaching a peak speed of approximately 14.5 metres per second. This achievement demonstrates the rapid development of mechanical design, sensors, actuators, artificial intelligence and control systems. cite

The Robot Running Race

The event was conducted as part of the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing. These games included running, football, table tennis, boxing, dancing and industrial-task competitions. More than 2,000 robots from 666 teams and 16 countries reportedly participated in the event. cite

During the 100-metre race, Tiangong Ultra initially fell behind but accelerated near the finish line and completed the race in 9.39 seconds. Lightning finished in 9.47 seconds. Although the robots achieved impressive times, their running style was not as stable or graceful as that of a human athlete. Reports stated that the robots lost balance after crossing the finish line, and one robot required assistance after collapsing. cite

Competitor	Recorded time	Important detail
Usain Bolt	9.58 seconds	Human 100-metre world record set in 2009
Tiangong Ultra	9.39 seconds	Preliminary race heat
Lightning	9.47 seconds	Race performance
Lightning	9.32 seconds	Preparatory test

The robot times should be understood as robotics demonstration results, not as officially comparable human athletic records. Human races are governed by athletic rules, while robots operate with different mechanical and energy systems.

How Does a Humanoid Robot Run?

A running robot requires the coordinated operation of several mechanical and electronic subsystems:

1. Mechanical structure

The robot consists of a rigid frame, joints, links and feet. Aluminium alloys, carbon-fibre components and lightweight engineering plastics may be used to reduce mass while maintaining strength.

The legs generally contain joints similar to the human hip, knee and ankle. These joints allow the robot to lift its leg, extend it forward and push against the ground.

2. Actuators

Actuators produce the torque required to move the joints. Electric motors combined with gearboxes are commonly used in humanoid robots.

The motor torque can be expressed as:

$$T = F \times r$$

where:

• $T$

  $T$ is joint torque,

• $F$

  $F$ is the applied force,

• $r$

  $r$ is the perpendicular distance from the joint axis.

High torque is required during the push-off phase, when the robot applies force to the ground to accelerate its body.

3. Sensors

The robot uses several sensors to maintain balance and control movement:

• Inertial measurement units for measuring acceleration and angular motion.

• Encoders for measuring joint position.

• Force sensors for detecting contact between the foot and ground.

• Cameras and depth sensors for identifying the track and obstacles.

• Temperature and current sensors for monitoring the motors.

4. Control system

A computer continuously compares the desired movement with the actual movement. If the robot begins to lean forward or sideways, the controller adjusts the motor positions.

A simplified feedback-control relationship is:

$$e(t) = \theta_d(t) - \theta_a(t)$$

where:

• $e(t)$

  $e(t)$ is the control error,

• $\theta_d(t)$

  ${\theta }_d(t)$ is the desired joint angle,

• $\theta_a(t)$

  ${\theta }_a(t)$ is the actual joint angle.

The controller uses this error to command the actuator and correct the robot’s motion.

5. Balance and centre of gravity

Balance is one of the most difficult aspects of robot running. The robot must keep its centre of mass within a stable region during each step.

Unlike walking, running includes a period when both feet may be away from the ground. This is called the flight phase. The robot must accurately control its body position before landing again.

Mechanical Engineering Principles Involved

This achievement is closely related to several subjects studied in diploma mechanical engineering.

Engineering mechanics

The robot must overcome inertia, gravity and ground reaction forces. Newton’s second law is important:

$$F = ma$$

A larger force produces greater acceleration when the robot’s mass remains constant.

Kinematics

Kinematics deals with the motion of the robot’s links without considering the forces causing the motion. Students can study:

• Displacement of hip, knee and ankle joints.

• Angular velocity of each joint.

• Foot trajectory during one running cycle.

• Stride length and stride frequency.

The approximate running speed is:

$$v = \frac{\text{stride length}}{\text{time per stride}}$$

Dynamics

Dynamics considers the forces and torques responsible for movement. The motors must supply enough torque to accelerate the legs and move the body forward.

Machine design

The joints, shafts, bearings, gearboxes and linkages must be designed to withstand repeated loads. The design must balance:

• Strength.

• Stiffness.

• Low weight.

• Wear resistance.

• Ease of maintenance.

Materials engineering

A lightweight frame reduces the energy required for acceleration. However, excessive weight reduction may reduce strength and cause vibration or structural failure.

Manufacturing technology

Many robot components can be manufactured using CNC machining, casting, composite manufacturing or additive manufacturing. 3D printing is particularly useful for producing lightweight covers, prototypes, sensor brackets and complex internal structures.

Metrology

Accurate measurement is essential for robot development. Engineers inspect:

• Joint alignment.

• Shaft diameter.

• Gear dimensions.

• Foot geometry.

• Frame tolerances.

• Sensor mounting positions.

Errors in manufacturing can lead to vibration, uneven movement and loss of balance.

Why Can a Robot Beat a Human Record?

A robot does not have the same biological limitations as a human athlete. Its motors can deliver high torque repeatedly, and its control system can be programmed for a specific race condition.

However, speed alone does not mean that robots are generally superior to humans. A robot may have advantages such as:

• High motor power relative to its operating task.

• Precisely programmed movement.

• No biological fatigue in the human sense.

• Longer or specially designed legs.

• Optimised gearing and actuator control.

• A body designed specifically for sprinting.

At the same time, robots face major limitations:

• High energy consumption.

• Battery weight.

• Overheating of motors and controllers.

• Difficulty maintaining balance.

• Limited operation time.

• Dependence on sensors and software.

• Risk of falling when conditions change.

The Guardian reported that Lightning stood approximately 169 centimetres tall and originally had 95-centimetre legs during its half-marathon participation. Researchers later lengthened its legs by 10 centimetres before the robot games. cite

Earlier Progress in Robot Running

The improvement in robot performance has been very rapid. Reuters reported that Tiangong Ultra completed the 100-metre event in 21.50 seconds during the previous year’s inaugural games. Its later time of 9.39 seconds represents a major improvement in speed and control. cite

Lightning also demonstrated endurance by completing a 21-kilometre humanoid robot half-marathon in Beijing in 50 minutes and 26 seconds. This result illustrates that robotics development is not limited to short-distance sprinting; it also involves energy management, navigation and long-duration mechanical operation. cite

Learning Activity for Students

Diploma mechanical engineering students can study this topic through a simple project:

Project title: Design and analysis of a two-legged running robot.

Students can:

1. Prepare a 2D or 3D CAD model of the robot leg.

2. Identify the hip, knee and ankle joints.

3. Calculate the torque required at the knee joint.

4. Select a suitable motor and gearbox.

5. Estimate the robot’s centre of gravity.

6. Use sensors to detect foot contact and body inclination.

7. Develop a basic feedback-control sequence.

8. Test the robot’s speed and stability.

9. Record the time taken over a fixed distance.

10. Compare the result with the performance of a human runner.

For example, if a robot travels 10 metres in 4 seconds, its average speed is:

$$v = \frac{10}{4} = 2.5\ \text{m/s}$$

Students can repeat the experiment after changing the leg length, motor speed, foot design or control program.

Conclusion

The recent robot running races show how mechanical engineering is combining with electronics, artificial intelligence and control technology. Humanoid robots such as Tiangong Ultra and Lightning have reportedly completed 100 metres faster than Usain Bolt’s 9.58-second human record, although their performance must be considered separately from official human athletics. cite

For diploma mechanical engineering students, this development provides a practical example of engineering mechanics, machine design, materials, manufacturing, metrology, sensors and automation working together in one system. The future challenge is not only to make robots faster, but also to make them more stable, energy-efficient, reliable and useful in manufacturing and everyday applications.

Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzMqoBEbx84